»  View the short list of Frequently Asked Questions.

How can I contact MSP?

See MSP Contacts for B.C. Residents.

Where can I get MSP forms?

Most MSP forms are available on this web site (see Electronic Forms). Some can be completed electronically and others can be printed and mailed or faxed to MSP. Forms may also be obtained through Forms-by-Fax. You need a touch tone telephone and a fax machine to use this service. Forms include:

• Application for Enrollment
• Change of Address
• Application for Premium Assistance
• Application for Addition of Family Members
• Baby Enrollment
• CareCard Replacement Form
• Out-of-Country Claim Form

Government Agent/B.C. Access Centres, located throughout B.C., have MSP pamphlets and forms on hand and will accept completed forms on behalf of MSP.

How do I contact the Travel Assistance Program?

The Travel Assistance Program (TAP) helps patients get travel discounts when they need to travel outside their communities for non-emergency medical services. To obtain approval for travel discounts under TAP, call:

   Victoria area: 250 952-2657
   Other areas of B.C. (toll free): 1 800 661-2668

In most cases you do not need to speak directly to a client service representative, but can request TAP approval using MSP's automated telephone system. When calling, please have your completed Request for Travel Assistance form ready. These forms are available from your doctor's office.

What do I do if I am not satisfied with a decision that has been made by Health Insurance BC?

You can request a review of the decision by stating your case in writing and sending your letter and any supporting documents to Health Insurance BC:

Attention: Operations Director
Health Insurance BC
PO Box 9035 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria BC  V8W 9E3
Fax: 250 405-3595

What if I disagree with the response from Health Insurance BC?

If you disagree with the response from Health Insurance BC, you can send a letter of appeal to the Ministry of Health:

Director
Medical Services Operations and Policy
Ministry of Health
3-1 1515 Blanshard St
Victoria BC  V8W 3C8
Fax: 250 952-3133

Who is eligible to enroll in MSP?

If you meet the ministry's criteria of being a B.C. resident, you are eligible to enroll with MSP. In fact, all residents of B.C. are required to enroll with MSP. See Who is Eligible?

How do I apply?

For information on applying for MSP coverage see How to Enroll with MSP.

I am new to B.C. - when will I be covered?

See When does Coverage Begin? and Coverage During the Waiting Period.

What is the status of my MSP application and CareCard?

If you have not yet heard from MSP, that means your application is waiting to be processed. Once it is processed, MSP will contact you - either with a letter confirming your enrollment or, if there is something incomplete in your application, with a letter requesting more information or documentation.

What do I do if I want to appeal the wait period for provincial health care coverage that new and returning residents are required to complete?

Please send all relevant details, including the medical circumstances that are prompting your request and any financial considerations, to the Ministry of Health:

Director
Medical Services Operations and Policy
Ministry of Health
3-1 1515 Blanshard St
Victoria BC V8W 3C8
Fax: 250 952-3133

How do I add a person (other than a newborn) to my account?

If you are unsure of who can be covered under your account, see Who is Eligible?

Self-Administered (Pay-Direct) Accounts - If you pay premiums directly through a self-administered account and the person you are adding is not already enrolled with MSP, you can obtain an Addition of Family Member form from this web site, through the Forms-by-Fax service, at a Government Agent/B.C. Access Centre or by contacting MSP. If the person is currently enrolled with MSP under a separate account, contact MSP with details, including the person's name, personal health number, and relationship to you.

Group Plan Accounts - If you are enrolled under a group plan administered by an employer, union or pension office, you need to complete a Group Change Form (if you cannot download this form, please obtain one from your group plan administrator). Submit the completed form to your group plan administrator.

Note: If the person you are adding to your account is already enrolled with MSP and is covered under an account administered by an employer, union or pension plan, that account will only be cancelled if the employer, union or pension plan submits a request. If the person has a self-administered account, that account will be cancelled when the person is added to your plan.

How do I add a newborn child to my account?

The B.C. hospital where the baby is born will provide the mother with a Baby Enrollment Form. The completed form should be submitted as soon as possible to either your group plan administrator if you are covered under an employer or union plan, or directly to MSP if you are covered under a self-administered account.

If for some reason the hospital did not provide the form, it is available electronically through this web site - go to Baby Enrollment form. You can also obtain the form by visiting a local Government Agent/B.C. Access Centre or by contacting MSP.

I've recently become separated or divorced - do I need to change my MSP account?

If you were legally married and have become separated, you and your spouse can either remain covered under the same account or ask to be covered under separate accounts.

If you were legally married and are now divorced, or were living in a common-law relationship that has ended, you and your former spouse need to be covered under separate accounts. This is true even if you have a divorce agreement that specifies your spouse must pay your MSP premiums. How you request a change depends how your current account is set up.

If the account is in your former spouse's name, and you are eligible for enrollment under a group plan administered by your employer, union or pension office, you need to complete an Application for Group Enrollment and submit it to your group plan. Otherwise, contact MSP to set up an account in your own name.

When your new account is set up, in most cases your enrollment under your former spouse's account will cancel. However, if both the new and old account are under a group plan, your former spouse should let his/her benefits office know to cancel.

If the account is in your name, and you are covered under a group plan administered by an employer, union or pension plan, you need to complete a Group Change Form and submit it to the group plan. Otherwise, contact MSP to advise of your change in status. When your former spouse's enrollment under your account ends, MSP will automatically set up a new account for him/her.

In either case, please provide MSP with your address and, if known, your former spouse's address.

How do I stop coverage for someone under my account?

If you are covered under a self-administered account, visit a Government Agent/B.C. Access Centre in your area or contact MSP - there is no form to complete. MSP needs to know the person's name, personal health number and the reason for your request. If the request is because of separation, divorce or a child leaving home, please provide the person's new address and, if applicable, the date he or she moved out of province.

If you are enrolled under a group plan administered by an employer, union or pension office, you need to complete a Group Change Form (if you cannot download this form, please obtain one from your group plan administrator). Submit the completed form to your group plan administrator.

How do I report an address change within B.C.?

There is an online Address Change Notice for Persons Moving Within B.C. that can be completed and submitted on this web site. You can also obtain a form from our Forms-by-Fax service, by visiting a local Government Agent/B.C. Access Centre or by contacting MSP.

I am leaving B.C. - what do I need to know?

If you are leaving B.C. temporarily, you need to be aware that there are time limits on out-of-province benefits available to you while you are away (see Temporary Absence from B.C.). You should purchase additional health insurance from a private insurer before you leave the province, regardless of whether you will be in another part of Canada or outside the country - even if you plan to be away for only a day.

If you are leaving B.C. permanently, you must notify MSP when you plan to move from the province. Advising MSP of your move ensures that your coverage will be cancelled and you will no longer be billed for MSP premiums after you leave the province. There is an online Permanent Move Outside B.C. form that can be completed and submitted on this web site. You may also obtain a form from the Forms-by-Fax service, by visiting a Government Agent/B.C. Access Centre in your area or by contacting MSP.

For additional, important information, see Leaving B.C.

How do I report a change of name?

If you have changed your name and the name appearing on your CareCard is now incorrect, you need to apply to have a new CareCard issued to you with your correct legal name. MSP requires your personal health number and a photocopy of a legal document (e.g., birth certificate, citizenship card, marriage certificate, change of name certificate) indicating your correct name.

If you are enrolled under a group plan administered by an employer, union or pension office, you need to complete a Group Change Form (if you cannot download this form, please obtain one from your group plan administrator). Submit the completed form and copy of the appropriate legal document to your group plan administrator.

If you pay your own MSP premiums directly, you can obtain a CareCard Replacement Form from this web site or the Forms-by-Fax service, by visiting a Government Agent/B.C. Access Centre in your area or by contacting MSP. Submit the completed form and copy of the appropriate legal document to MSP.

Note: There is no fee for a new CareCard when a person's name has changed.

If my CareCard is lost, stolen or damaged, how do I get a replacement?

See Replacement of a CareCard.

I am working for a new employer who will look after my medical coverage. How can I cancel my current account and what should I do with the premium invoices/collections letters I am receiving?

You don't need to cancel the current account; MSP will do that for you when the new account is set up. Please check the period of coverage on your bill or collections letter. If you owe premiums from before the new employer started paying them, then you will still need to pay that amount. If you have received a collections letter for the period covered by the new employer, contact the agency to avoid further collection action.

I am leaving an employer who has been looking after my medical coverage - what do I do to set up a new account?

A new self-pay account will be set up automatically when your group account is cancelled, and you will be billed for premiums. For information regarding premiums, including premium assistance, see Premiums.

Note: you should contact MSP if you do not receive a premium billing notice within 90 days and have not qualified for a 100 per cent premium subsidy.

How do I request information on setting up an MSP group plan for employees?

See New Company Information.

I have a child who will be turning 19 shortly - what should I do to continue his or her MSP coverage?

As your child approaches age 19, MSP will send a letter to you, advising that coverage as a dependent under your account will end on the last day of the month the child turns 19. Unless you request otherwise, MSP will automatically set up a new, self-administered account for the child. Initially, 100 per cent premium assistance will be provided (if the residency requirements for premium assistance are met). You do have the option of continuing to cover your child as a dependent if he or she is single, supported by you and attending school full-time, but will need to contact MSP with details.

See Who is Eligible and Adding and Removing Dependents for full details.

A family member passed away recently - does MSP need to be advised?

Not usually. When a person passes away in B.C. our records are updated automatically. However, if the family member passed away outside B.C. or more than 60 days have elapsed and there is reason to believe our records have not been updated, MSP should be advised.

If the person was covered under a self-administered account, you can either visit a Government Agent/B.C. Access Centre in your area or contact MSP. You will need to provide the person's name, personal health number and the date he or she passed away.

If the person was covered under a group plan administered by a third party such as an employer, union or pension office, contact that party. They, in turn, will advise MSP. If the person who passed away was the account holder and other family members were covered under the same account, the group plan will be able to advise whether they will continue to cover the family members.

Do I have to pay for MSP coverage? Are there special rates for seniors and students?

Yes, premiums are payable for MSP coverage. See Premiums for current rates. There are no special rates for seniors or students, although they may qualify for a subsidy. Subsidies ranging from 20 to 100 per cent are available to eligible applicants through MSP's Premium Assistance program.

How do I pay my premiums?

See the Ministry of Small Business and Revenue's web site under How to Pay Your Premiums (MSP premium billing is administered by that Ministry, through Revenue Services of British Columbia).

I've received a premium invoice I can't afford - what should I do?

You may be eligible for a subsidy under MSP's premium assistance program, based on your adjusted net income from the previous year. For information on this program, see Premium Assistance.

If you believe you qualify for a subsidy, complete a premium assistance application form and forward it to MSP. You can obtain an Application for Premium Assistance from this web site or our Forms-by-Fax service, by visiting a Government Agent/B.C. Access Centre in your area or by contacting MSP.

Note: MSP coverage is not cancelled when a person's premiums are in arrears. Cancellation only occurs if a person ceases to be a resident of B.C. or there is concern that the individual may no longer be a resident.

I have applied for premium assistance but have not yet heard back. What should I do about the premium invoices/collections letters I am receiving?

Once your application has been processed, MSP will advise you whether you owe any premiums. Changes to your premium rate will be made effective retroactively to the date you qualified to receive assistance. In the meantime, please continue to pay the premium invoices you are receiving. If a collection agency contacts you, please advise them that you have applied for premium assistance. As long as you are a resident of B.C., your MSP coverage will not be cancelled due to overdue or unpaid premiums.

I recently received a premium bill earlier than I expected - am I being overcharged?

MSP premium billing is administered by the Ministry of Small Business and Revenue, through Revenue Services of British Columbia. Go to General Billing Information to see if the information you need is there. If it is not, please contact Revenue Services of British Columbia to discuss your bill.

I have received a collections notice - what should I do?

To discuss your specific situation, call the telephone number included on your collections notice.

If you recently applied for premium assistance, you should inform the collections agency of this fact. If you no longer pay premiums because you recently joined an employer's account (yours or your spouse's), you can inform the agency and disregard the request for payment for the period covered by the employer (note: you are responsible for paying any outstanding premiums for the time before you were covered by your employer).

How is MSP able to verify my income with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)?

Each person who signs an application for premium assistance also signs a statement authorizing MSP to verify his/her income with CRA on an ongoing basis. This authorization eliminates the need to fill out an application form each year. Also see Income Verification.

MSP has stopped my premium assistance because I don't file an income tax return. I'm not required to file a tax return, so how do I start getting premium assistance again?

MSP needs you to file an income tax return if you want to receive premium assistance, even though the federal government may not require it. Please file a return and send MSP a copy of your Notice of Assessment when it is received from CRA. If you have a spouse, a copy of his or her Notice of Assessment will also be needed.

I haven't had to pay premiums for years. Why did I receive a letter saying I have to start paying again?

Even if you haven't had to pay for years, premiums are not automatically waived. If you have been receiving 100 percent assistance but now are being asked to pay premiums, it is likely because of information received from CRA about your annual net income and, if applicable, that of your spouse. The exception is if you have received a letter from MSP stating that we have been unable to verify your or your spouse's income with CRA.

MSP has made a change to my premium assistance because of information from CRA about my previous year's income. What do I do if I don't agree with the change MSP has made?

First, it is important to understand that eligibility for assistance is based on net income from your income tax return. If your net income for the previous year was higher than usual because, for example, you cashed in RRSPs, that change could affect your eligibility for premium assistance for a period of time.

If your tax return has been re-assessed and you think this may result in a change to your premium, please send MSP a copy of your Notice of Re-Assessment. If your spouse's tax return has been re-assessed, MSP will also need a copy of his or her Notice.

My account was adjusted retroactively due to information MSP received from CRA; now I owe premiums for earlier months. Why didn't MSP check my previous year's income before now?

MSP checks with CRA several times a year, starting in the spring. Until a person's income tax return has been processed, CRA cannot provide the information MSP needs.

Note: If a person's return has not been filed and processed by the last time MSP checks a particular year's income, the person may get a warning letter or a letter advising that premium assistance has been taken away.

What coverage is available when I go to the physical therapist, massage therapist, chiropractor, naturopath or podiatrist?

Only those MSP beneficiaries with premium assistance status are eligible for a combined annual limit (each calendar year) of 10 visits for physiotherapy, massage therapy, chiropractic, naturopathy and non-surgical podiatry. MSP pays $23 for each visit. Your practitioner will inform you if you can expect an additional charge over what MSP pays. Surgical podiatry is covered for all MSP beneficiaries. See Supplementary Health Care Benefits for full details.

When are routine eye examinations a benefit of MSP?

Routine eye examinations are an MSP benefit for persons age 65 and older, or age 18 and younger. Routine examinations are no longer a benefit for people between 19 and 64 years old. However, all eye examinations that are medically required continue to be a benefit for all age groups. See Supplementary Health Care Benefits for more information.

How do I make a claim for medical services received in Quebec or outside Canada?

You need to complete an Out of Country Claim Form, available from this web site, through the Forms-by-Fax service, by visiting a Government Agent/B.C. Access Centre in your area, or by contacting MSP. Submit the completed form and supporting documentation to MSP.

See Medical Care Outside B.C. for details of what services are eligible for reimbursement.

Where can I obtain information about the Healthy Kids program?

Healthy Kids provides basic vision and dental care to eligible children under B.C. Benefits, administered by the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance. For information, please see Healthy Kids or telephone (toll free) 1 800 748-1144.

Where can I find information about PharmaCare?

For information about coverage for prescription drugs and medical supplies, see the PharmaCare web site. You can also call the PharmaCare program at:

   Vancouver area: 604 683-7151
   Other areas of B.C. (toll free): 1 800 663-7100
 

Last Revised: October 13, 2006